A hilarious debate has ensued between French President Emmanuel Macron and the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, for one reason: Emily Cooper.
In an interview with Variety published on Wednesday, Oct. 9, Macron shared his response to Emily (Lily Collins) leaving Paris to head off to Rome in part 2 of season 4 of the hit Netflix series Emily in Paris.
“We will fight hard. And we will ask them to remain in Paris! Emily in Paris in Rome doesn‘t make sense,” said Macron about Rome becoming a setting for the show’s upcoming fifth season.
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Creator Darren Star previously told Netflix’s Tumdu that season 5 will continue Emily’s adventures in both Rome and Paris.
“Emily’s going to have a presence in Rome. It doesn’t mean she’s not going to be in Paris, but she’s going to have a presence in Rome,” said Star in a statement.
However, having Rome and Paris be a character in the show doesn’t sit well with both political leaders.
Stephanie Branchu/Netflix
Macron told Variety that he was happy to see his wife, Brigitte Macron, make a cameo on the show since “it’s good for the image of France.”
“Emily in Paris is super positive in terms of attractiveness for the country. For my own business, it’s a very good initiative,” he explained.
Gualtieri responded to his interview, sharing in a post on X, translated by Vanity Fair“Take it easy, Emmanuel Macron. Emily in Rome is perfect.”
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He followed the post by sharing with The Hollywood Reporter Roma“Doesn’t President Macron have more pressing matters to worry about?”
“I would like to believe, at least I would like to hope, that Macron was joking, because he ought to know that a production company like Netflix does not take orders from heads of state or make decisions based on political pressure,” Gualtieri added, expressing that there are “a few other matters of state in Europe for Macron that are more important than Emily.”
Stephanie Branchu/Netflix
“We see Emily’s move to Rome as a confirmation that our city is becoming more and more important, and we are quite relaxed about Netflix production decisions,” his statement continued. “They know what they are doing. To be honest, we think Mr Macron should just relax.”
While speaking with PEOPLE on the red carpet at the premiere for season 4 part 2 in Rome on Tuesday, Sept. 10, Star shared that the show was taken to Rome to expand its “footprint” and “broaden out the universe.”
“Rome to me is like the other great romantic city in Europe, and it’s a bit of a yin and yang to Paris,” said Star. “And also the story took us here. You know, Italy is — just like France — sort of known for fashion, design, style, in a different way.”
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Emily in Paris is streaming on Netflix.
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